Betty Lou Christianson was born November 30, 1936, during a snowstorm, on the family farm in Vernon Township, Grant County, SD. Her parents were Louis and Bessie (Schwartz) Christianson. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Revillo, SD. She went to grade school at Vernon #2 and graduated from Revillo High School in 1955.

Following graduation she married Raymond Stransky in 1956 in Fedora, SD. They moved to Huron, SD in 1956 and were blessed with four boys: Raymond, Jr., Louis, Fred and Burt. Betty worked at St. John’s Hospital for seventeen years as a surgical tech. During those years she also was a den mother while her boys were in Cub Scouts. The family joined the American Lutheran Church during their time in Huron. Raymond passed away in 1969.

Betty married Leon North in February of 1971. In 1979 they moved to Big Stone City, where Betty cared for her mother. While there she was a member of Tops and in 1980 she was South Dakota State Tops queen. Then in 1988 they moved to Mitchell, SD where Betty and her son, Burt worked at Syncom and then later at the truck stop as the baker. She was a member of New Home Lutheran Church, where she worked as a janitor for some time and she was also the Lutifisk cooker there.

After over twenty years in Mitchell she moved to Britton in 2010 to live with Phil (Lefty) Tom. She enjoyed her time in Britton and became a member of First Lutheran Church in 2016.

Betty passed away Sunday, December 1, 2024 at Marshall County Healthcare Center. She turned 88 years old the day prior surrounded by her family.

Betty is survived by her sons: Raymond, Jr. of Sioux Falls, SD, Louis (Pam) Stransky of Mitchell, Fred (Carol) of Loomis, and Burt (girlfriend, Sheryle Horsely) of Mitchell; her 5 grandchildren: Daniel, Tyrone, Stephanie, Staci and Brooke; two step grandchildren: Wanda and Samantha Jo; her numerous great-grandchildren; and her significant other, Phil (Lefty) Tom of Britton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her four brothers, both of her husbands, a step daughter, Gayla North, a step grandson, John Sonne, and her daughter-in-law, Nadeen Stransky.

A Celebration of Life for Betty will be on December 14, 2024 in Mitchell at Marlin’s Cafe for family and friends.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Louis and Pam Stransky – 1901 W 3rd St. – Mitchell, SD 57301.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com